Archive | The turbulent life of the World Trade Center before September 11, 2001
Did you know that the World Trade Center in New York was the scene of an explosion on February 26, 1993? Built in the 1960s, the Twin Towers enjoyed a somewhat turbulent life until the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
They are brothers David and Nelson Rockefeller – the latter was then Governor of the State of New York – who, in 1946, proposed the construction of a giant international trade center in the Manhattan district.
In the minds of the two businessmen, it was also a question of showing American power at the end of the Second World War.
After much controversy, construction began of the complex in 1966.
The architect in charge of the project, Minoru Yamasaki, initially suggested the construction of two twin towers of only 80 floors.
The administration of the Port of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, responsible for the project, requires more office space.
This is how the twin towers grew up to 415 meters and 110 floors.
Interview by journalist Andréanne Lafond of C.J. Barfoed, director of external relations for the Port of New York
On December 31, 1970, journalist Andréanne Lafond presented, on the show Format 30, an interview with Port of New York Director of External Relations, C.J. Barfoed.
This interview also features rarely seen footage of the construction of the World Trade Center which opened on April 4, 1973.
C.J. Barfoed explains the need to build in height and some technical achievements related to the construction of the complex.
He also highlights the speed of the elevators, which take two and a half minutes to climb to the top of the towers. It also describes the devices that will be able to wash the thousands of windows.
More than 130,000 people will be able to work at the World Trade Center.
This gigantism leaves Andréanne Lafond a little pensive, but not Mr. Barfoed.
The World Trade Center had already survived a potentially very destructive fire in 1975.
Then, in the heart of the winter of 1993, the complex suffered a disaster of a completely different order.
“So, nightmare, midday in Manhattan in the heart of New York. An explosion under one of the World Trade Center's twin towers shattered the ceiling of a crowded train station and smoked the 110-story skyscraper where thousands of people were stranded.
— Michèle Viroly
Report by correspondent Hugues Poulin on a disaster at the World Trade Center in New York
It is with these words that the host of the Téléjournal of February 26, 1993 confirms to viewers that a very serious incident has occurred at the World Trade Center.
Correspondent Hugues Poulin went there and summarized the situation in a report he presented that day.
He describes a strong explosion which took place around 12:15 p.m.
Power outages and dense smoke strand thousands of people on the upper floors of both towers. A fire also broke out in the suburban station housed in the basements of the two towers.
All of this leads to panic that almost turns into psychosis when a bomb threat forces the evacuation of another famous New York skyscraper, the Empire State Building.
The police of the city are overwhelmed. They have never seen anything like it.
Hugues Poulin also speaks for a few moments with host Michèle Viroly.
In particular, he explains the reasons for believing that the disaster was the result of an attack.
Police said they discovered a 30 by 60 meter crater caused by a blast.
The latter was said to have been the result of the detonation of an explosive device.
Authorities monitor train stations and airports to ensure that no terrorist can escape.
Report by correspondent Hugues Poulin on the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York
The next day, February 27, 1993, the host of Téléjournal Michèle Viroly confirms that the New York police authorities are concentrating on the hypothesis of a terrorist attack against the World Trade Center.
The report by correspondent Hugues Poulin presented that day reveals that several clues suggest that it was an attack.
The Governor of New York State, Mario Cuomo, says he is outraged that Americans are being attacked in this way.
As for New Yorkers, they are developing a psychosis of fear.
A businessman, whose offices are in the World Trade Center, says his employees categorically refuse to return to work there.
Other people interviewed by Hugues Poulin confirm their feeling that the place has become dangerous.
We will quickly learn that the attack was perpetrated by Islamist terrorists.
Their goal? Let the North Tower collapse on the South Tower and destroy the World Trade Center, killing thousands.
The 1993 attack was ultimately only a dress rehearsal before the destruction of the World Trade Center by Al-Qaeda on September 11, 2001.
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